Police and Fire Ride for Fallen Heroes Fund

Police and Fire Ride for Fallen Heroes Fund

<br>More than 300 motorcyclists enjoyed a Sunday ride through the stateline for a good cause.

BELVIDERE, Ill.--It wasn't exactly your typical Sunday
drive, but more than 300 motorcyclists gathered at the Boone County Fairgrounds
for a weekend cause.

"Motorcyclists in
particular, they are the type of people," said John Eau Clair, Vice President
of the Steel Pigs motorcycle club.

"They are very
caring, very giving. When they get a chance to come together and to celebrate
something and to participate, and show their support, they're going to do it."

That support is
lending a hand to families who've lost a loved one in the line of duty.

"This fund that
we're putting together today is for that immediate need," said Scott Tripp,
President of Fire and Iron Station 53. "To help them, whether it's something as
simple as groceries."

It can be a chaotic
time for families and Clair says it's personal no matter whom it is.

"Regardless of if
it were now or 40 years ago, 50 years ago whenever it was, it was still someone
that was out there, protecting the people of our community and paid the
ultimate sacrifice," said Eau Clair.

That's a gesture
that current and former public safety officials, like Steve Randall,
appreciate.

"Means a lot to me.
Once a police officer always a police officer," said Randall, a retired police
officer. "They put their life on the line every day."

"We have friends in
both fire and police," said Kevin Ogden, President of Steel Pigs. "Both ways we
work together. We work together in the community. we see each other and came
together for putting an event together and planning this out.

On a beautiful day,
the question is who wouldn't want to come out for a Sunday ride? Organizers
were thrilled by the turnout.